Fractured Hand Healing For Bears' Leonard Floyd

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd spent much of this past offseason focusing on the use of his hands to become a more effective pass rusher, fine-tuning his technique with the hopes of a breakout season.

Two games into the regular season, Floyd is still waiting for use of his fractured right hand, which has been wrapped in a protective club on the field.

"I'm very eager," Floyd said before practice Wednesday before visiting with the training staff.

Floyd took the field for a lighter practice wearing what appeared to be a lighter protective brace to his hand. It remains to be seen what the plan will be for Sunday's game at Arizona, though Floyd's injury appears to be trending in the right direction.

The fracture for Floyd, a break between his right index and middle fingers suffered in the preseason in August, could've prevented him from playing altogether. Instead, the Bears offered him two weeks of rest to end the preseason before he returned to the field for Week 1 preparation.

Floyd had claimed initially he wouldn't be limited by the club, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was more transparent in suggesting there was no way around the limitations. Then came the fourth-quarter play Monday night when linebacker Danny Trevathan stripped Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson of the football and Floyd was forced to fall on it instead of scooping and scoring.

"I most definitely want to downsize," Floyd said of the club, "(or) at least have something with my fingers free or some of my hands free."

The ninth overall pick in the 2016 draft, Floyd has 11.5 sacks in 24 career games but is without a sack this season. Considered a bit of a project pick by the Bears initially, the 26-year-old Floyd has added size to his speed abilities and worked with outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley to evolve as a pass rusher.

The Bears went into this year counting on Floyd for a full 16-game season and with the hopes that health would reveal his best form. Then came the stunning trade for outside linebacker Khalil Mack, which changed the dynamic of this defense.

For Floyd, it means the Bears can continue to be cautious in allowing his hand to heal.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.​​